Cow-milker.



Patented Sept. 30, 1902.

F; A. WEST. 00W MILKER.

- (Application filed Oct. 17, 1901.)

2 Sheets-Sheet I.

(N1) Modal.)

. No. 7l0,384. Patented Sept. 30, I902 F. A-. WEST.

COW MILKEB.

(Application filed 01:2:v 17, 1901.] (no Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

UNITED STATES ATENT FFICE.

FRED A. \VEST, OF BROWNING, IVISCONSIN.

COW-MILKER.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 710,384, dated September30, 1902.

Application filed October 17, 1901- Serial No. 78,986. (N model.)

T0 at whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRED A. WEST, a citizen of the United States,residing at and whose post-office address is Browning, in the county ofMarquette and State of Wisconsin, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Oow-Milkers, of which the fol-lowingisaspecification.

My invention relates to cow-milkers, and more particularly to that classof devices in which a pump is used for drawing the milk from the cow.

Among the objects of theinvention is to provide means forsecurely'retaining the teatneedles in place, and, furthermore, toprovide a simple, durable, and inexpensive device which will perform itswork in an efficient manner.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my inventioncomplete. Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a verticalsectional view of the milk-pail and pump. Fig. l is a perspective viewof the teat-needle and the holder therefor, the teat being in dottedlines to show its application; and Fig. 5 is a sectional view throughthe teat-needle and holder, the teat being in dotted lines. Fig. (5 is adetail perspective view showing the teat-clamp open and the spring-armssecured thereto.

In the drawings, 1 denotes the milk receptacle, having a tight-fittingcover 2. The cover 2 is provided on its lower face, a short space fromits edge, with a depending annular flange 3, which is adapted to -fitsnugly against the sides of the milk-receptacle. The space between theannular flange 3 and the edge of the top is adapted to rest upon theupper edge at of the bucket, which edge is bent upon itself to form anannular rib for the spring-clasps 5 of the top to engage, and therebysecurely hold the top in position. The clasps 5 are secured to the upperside of the bucket-top by any suitable means, such as rivets,(designated by the numeral 6,) which pass through the base portion 7thereof. The body of the clasp is substantially semicircular and extendsoutward and downward from its base portion, the lower extremity of thebody portion extending under the rib 4 of the bucket. A finger-piece 8extends outward from the lower extremity of the body portion at an acuteangle thereto, by which means the spring-clasps may be readily operated.

9 designates the pump-cylinder, which is provided at one end withscrew-threads to engage a detachable internally-screw-threaded cap 10.

11 designates the piston of the pump, and 12 the piston-rod, which issecured in any desired manner to the piston. The piston-rod extendsoutward through an opening in the detachable cap and is provided at itsouter end with a suitable handle 13. The forward end of the pump-body isprovided at its central portion with an annular extension or flange 14for the reception of the rubber hose. An opening passes through theextension 14 and communicates with the interior of the body of the pump.

l5 designates a swinging spring-pressed check-valve hinged at 16 at theinner end of the opening in the end of the pump-body. Arranged in theside wall of the pump-body adjacent to the valve is an opening 17. Aswinging spring-operated valve 18, hinged at 19, is secured on theexterior of the side walls to cover said opening 17.

The pump is mounted in a suitable stand 20 in an inclined position onthe lid 2 of the pail, the forward end thereof, or the end containingthe valves, being below the plane of the rear end of the pump. The stand20 comprises two sides substantially L-shaped in cross-section, thelower portion of which sides serve as a base, the upper portions thereofbeing connected by the top cross-bar. The upper portion of the sides ofthe stand 20 are provided with substantially semicircular cutoutportions 21, which register with an opening 22 in the top of the stand.The semicircular cut-out portionv of the front side of the stand isdeeper than the one in the rear thereof, so as to give the properinclination to the pump. Arranged centrally in the top of the stand 20is an arched band 23, each end of said arch terminating on either sideof the opening 22 therein.

2 L designates an opening or cut-out portion in the bucket cover or top2 in front of the pump-stand for the reception of the valved end of thecylinder. large enough to admit the swinging valve 18, so that the samemay freely operate therein.

This opening should be 25 designates a flexible tube connected to thepump and terminating at its outer end in a series of short flexibletubes 26.

27 denotes a hollow teat-needle, which is enlarged at its lower end, asat 28, to form an air-tight connection with the end of a short flexibletube. The front end of the teatneedles 27 are inclined from one side, soas not to injure the teat, as is the case where large pointed needlesare used.

Secured to the upper end of the short tube 26 is a pair of spring-arms29. These arms are secured to a cylindrical body portion 30, which isclamped around the free end of the short tube. The cylindrical bodyportion 30 is provided at one of its edges with short arms 31,'whichpass through openings in the opposite edges of the body portion 30. The

arms 31 after passing through the engaging slots are bent uponthemselves, as shown in Fig. 4, thereby securely locking the attachmentto the tubing. It will be understood, however, that I do not restrictmyself to this particular clamping means. To prevent injury of theteats, the spring-arms 29 are bent outward from the cylindrical portionat right angles thereto and then bent upward and terminate in a pair offingers 32, which are adapted to embrace the teat. By this constructionof clamp I am enabled to place the teat therein without permitting it totouch at any other point except at its extreme end, thereby obviatingall unnecessary discomfort and injury to the cow.

It will be seen that by arranging the pump in the inclined position themilk is kept in that portion of the pump in which the valve whichcommunicates with the pail is located.

From the foregoing description the operation of my invention isapparent. The needles are first inserted in the duct of the teats, andthe spring-arms are then clasped about the same. The rearward movementof the piston opens the valve 15 and admits the milk into the pump,while a forward stroke of the piston closes the valve 15 and opens thevalve 18 and admits the milk into the milk-receptacle.

It will of course be understood that various changes in the form,proportion,and the minor details of construction may be resorted towithout departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantagesof the invention.

Upon the lid of the pail 1 I provide a bracket or stand for thereception of the flexible tubes.

This stand is preferably formed in two duplicate sections 33. The upperportion of each section is outwardly curved to form an are,

as at 34, so that when the two sections are placed together asubstantially semicircular opening is formed in the top of the stand.Depending from the curved portion 34: is an upright body porti0n,whichterminates in a suitable base arranged at right angles to the uprightbody portion. By placing rivets through openings in the base of theduplicatesections 33 the stand is secured in position.

In the drawings I have shown a means for regulating the drawing of themilk, which consists, preferably, of a valve 35 secured to the tube 25adjacent the diverging short tubes 26. The stem of the valve isexternally screw-threaded and is provided in its side with an opening36, adapted to be closed or opened by an internally-screw-threaded cap37, the threads of which register with the threads of the stem. Inoperation ifit is desired to prevent a vacuum being formed or too stronga suction being brought to bear upon the teats the safety-valve isopened.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. Acow-milker, comprising a milk-receptacle having a suitable top orlid, spring retaining-clasps for said lid, a pump-stand mounted upon thesaid top or lid comprising two substantially L-shaped sides and aconnectingbaror top, substantially semicircular cut-out portions in thesides of said pumpstand,an opening in the top of the stand which extendsits whole length and communicates with the cut-out portions in thesides, a pump adapted to lie in said stand, and an arched band mountedon either side of the cut-out portion in the top of the stand to securethe pump in position.

2. A teat-clamp comprisingabody portion bent to cylindrical contour andhaving one of its edges formed with openings, arms on the opposite edgeadapted to be inserted through the said openings and then bent uponthemselves whereby the clamp is secured on the end of a tube,upwardly-extending spring-arms formed integral with the said bodyportion to embrace a teat, and a central tube with which the foregoingdevices engage.

In testimonywhereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRED A. VEST.

Witnesses:

CHARLIE KESSLER, WM. BREMNER.

